MASTER’S DEGREE IN MUSICOLOGY AND PERFORMING ARTS LM-45 – VIOLA

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Educational Objectives: At the end of the second year of advanced viola specialisation, students are expected to have achieved professional-level technical and artistic mastery, with particular focus on the in-depth study of solo repertoire, narrative phrasing, and sound control: a rich tone, precise vibrato, and expressive bow technique. The programme also emphasises contemporary and historical repertoire, the refinement of orchestral excerpts, and advanced performance practices.

Students develop independent interpretative skills, critical analysis of musical texts, and historical stylistic awareness. Particular importance is given to technical and emotional control during public performance, the personal exploration of expressive language, and the acquisition of advanced historical, aesthetic, and analytical knowledge at Master’s level. Special attention is dedicated to the development of a mature artistic profile, the ability to approach repertoire with originality of interpretation, stage presence, and reciprocal listening skills within orchestral contexts, enhancing expressive communication and emotional impact.

Professional Opportunities:

1. Professional Solo Concert Performer: The programme prepares violists for careers as prominent solo performers within the national and international concert landscape, developing the technical and interpretative skills required to perform in prestigious concert series, music festivals, and major artistic seasons. Students develop a personal and mature artistic language, design concert programmes of high cultural value, and manage performances according to international professional standards.
2. Instrumentalist in Prestigious Chamber Music Ensembles: Chamber music represents one of the highest levels of specialisation for a Master’s-level violist. The programme provides students with the skills required to collaborate within high-level chamber ensembles, developing advanced collaborative abilities, interpretative flexibility, and refined ensemble sensitivity.
3. Instrumentalist in Chamber and Symphony Orchestras: Students acquire the specific skills required to join leading orchestras at national and international levels, with particular attention to sight-reading, musical leadership, and integration within the collective orchestral sound.
4. Instrumentalist in Orchestral Ensembles for Musical Theatre: The programme provides advanced preparation for professional activity in opera house and ballet pit orchestras, developing the ability to approach specialised repertoire with stylistic versatility and professional expertise.
5. Music Teacher and Educator: The Master’s programme prepares violists for teaching activities in conservatories, academies, and musical institutions, enabling them to transmit technical and artistic expertise acquired at an advanced level.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

• Advanced technical and instrumental mastery: In-depth and conscious knowledge of viola performance techniques, with interpretative autonomy and the ability to creatively solve technical challenges.
• Specialised knowledge of repertoire: Systematic study of solo repertoire from the Baroque period to contemporary music, with awareness of historical and stylistic performance practices.
• Independent interpretative skills: Development of a distinctive artistic personality, with the ability to critically analyse musical texts and make informed interpretative choices.
• Advanced chamber and orchestral skills: Ability to interact with authority and flexibility within different musical ensembles, developing musical leadership and collaborative sensitivity.
• Perceptive and analytical development: Enhancement of critical listening skills, memorisation abilities, and structural analysis of repertoire.
• Advanced theoretical and analytical competences: Acquisition of advanced knowledge of musical organisational, compositional, and analytical models and their relationship with historical performance practice.
• Professional technical and emotional control: Mastery of specific techniques for managing posture, performance anxiety, and public performance at an excellent professional level.
• Advanced historical and aesthetic awareness: In-depth knowledge of the stylistic, historical, and aesthetic aspects of music, both from a general perspective and with specific reference to viola performance.
• Research and artistic project development skills: Development of autonomy in repertoire research, concert programme design, and the creation of original artistic pathways.

This document is subject to updating by the professor responsible for the course.

Main Instrument Course Requirements

• Prerequisites: Admission requires passing the audition-based entrance examination for the Master’s Degree programme LM-45.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts and Music Disciplines (L-3) or an equivalent qualification;
• Demonstrated advanced technical and artistic skills.

Teaching Methods and Assessment

Teaching Methods: Individual one-to-one lessons.

Assessment Methods: Intermediate Examination (MAIN INSTRUMENT PERFORMANCE PRACTICE 1) at the end of the first year.

Main requirements: Performance of three pieces, to be agreed upon with the teacher, with a total duration of approximately 35–40 minutes, including:

• One short virtuoso piece;
• The first movement of a sonata or concerto from the Classical period onwards;
• A solo viola piece (Baroque or contemporary repertoire).

Master’s Degree Final Examination (MAIN INSTRUMENT PERFORMANCE PRACTICE 2) at the end of the second year.

Programme: A recital programme lasting approximately one hour, with compositions selected by the candidate in agreement with the teacher. The programme must represent at least three of the following repertoire areas*:

a) Baroque
b) Classical period
c) Romantic period
d) Historical 20th century repertoire
e) Modern repertoire (compositions after 1945) or Contemporary repertoire

The performance must include:

• The first movement of a concerto;
• A virtuoso piece.

Notes: Reductions for viola and piano of virtuoso works and concert pieces are permitted.

Critical Presentation: A brief presentation (in the form of a written paper or oral dissertation) of the performed programme, including analytical, historical, and musicological considerations, as well as the aesthetic and motivational reasons underlying the repertoire choices.

The presentation must be agreed upon, approved, and supervised by one of the lecturers in the theoretical disciplines.

• The concert is included among the three compositions representing the selected repertoire periods and, depending on the specific work and subject to the authorisation of the teacher and the conductor, may also be considered as the virtuoso piece.